Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Evidence-based models are needed to deliver exercise-related services for knee osteoarthritis efficiently and according to patient needs.Objective
To examine a stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarthritis (STEP-KOA).Design
Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02653768).Setting
2 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sites.Participants
345 patients (mean age, 60 years; 15% female; 67% people of color) with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.Intervention
Participants were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to STEP-KOA or an arthritis education (AE) control group, respectively. The STEP-KOA intervention began with 3 months of an internet-based exercise program (step 1). Participants who did not meet response criteria for improvement in pain and function after step 1 progressed to step 2, which involved 3 months of biweekly physical activity coaching calls. Participants who did not meet response criteria after step 2 went on to in-person physical therapy visits (step 3). The AE group received educational materials via mail every 2 weeks.Measurements
Primary outcome was Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. Scores for the STEP-KOA and AE groups at 9 months were compared by using linear mixed models.Results
In the STEP-KOA group, 65% of participants (150 of 230) progressed to step 2 and 35% (81 of 230) to step 3. The estimated baseline WOMAC score for the full sample was 47.5 (95% CI, 45.7 to 49.2). At 9-month follow-up, the estimated mean WOMAC score was 6.8 points (CI, -10.5 to -3.2 points) lower in the STEP-KOA than the AE group, indicating greater improvement.Limitation
Participants were mostly male veterans, and follow-up was limited.Conclusion
Veterans in STEP-KOA reported modest improvements in knee osteoarthritis symptoms compared with the control group. The STEP-KOA strategy may be efficient for delivering exercise therapies for knee osteoarthritis.Primary funding source
Department of Veterans Affairs, Health Services Research and Development Service.
SUBMITTER: Allen KD
PROVIDER: S-EPMC10405203 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Allen Kelli D KD Woolson Sandra S Hoenig Helen M HM Bongiorni Dennis D Byrd James J Caves Kevin K Hall Katherine S KS Heiderscheit Bryan B Hodges Nancy Jo NJ Huffman Kim M KM Morey Miriam C MC Ramasunder Shalini S Severson Herbert H Van Houtven Courtney C Abbate Lauren M LM Coffman Cynthia J CJ
Annals of internal medicine 20201229 3
<h4>Background</h4>Evidence-based models are needed to deliver exercise-related services for knee osteoarthritis efficiently and according to patient needs<b>.</b><h4>Objective</h4>To examine a stepped exercise program for patients with knee osteoarthritis (STEP-KOA).<h4>Design</h4>Randomized controlled trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02653768).<h4>Setting</h4>2 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs sites.<h4>Participants</h4>345 patients (mean age, 60 years; 15% female; 67% people of color) with s ...[more]